โฑ๏ธ Why Should We Prepare for “100-Minute Matches”?
The Increase in Added Time and How to Adapt
Even for long-time football fans, it’s no longer unusual to see 5, 7, or even 10 minutes or more of added time.
This trend began around the 2022 Qatar World Cup,
when efforts were made to increase Actual Play Time by accurately compensating for interruptions during matches.
For example, in the group stage match between England and Iran at the Qatar World Cup, a total of 24 minutes of added time was given 14 minutes in the first half and 10 minutes in the second.
This was largely due to accumulated stoppages such as injuries, substitutions, and VAR checks. It also sent a clear message against so-called “time-wasting football,” aimed at preventing actions that lower the quality of the game.
In other words, it was a clear reflection of FIFA’s policy to ensure sufficient actual play time and promote higher-quality match management by discouraging intentional time-wasting.
Since the Qatar World Cup, this new perspective on added time and Actual Play Time has become a global trend across leagues in Europe and Asia.
As a result, the once “normal” 1–3 minutes of added time has now become 5 minutes or more as the new standard.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how these changes in added time have led to interesting shifts in match data and performance patterns.
๐ Changes in Numbers — Premier League & J.League
Premier League (2020/21 ~ 2023/24)
In the 2023/24 Premier League season,
the average match duration increased by more than 5 minutes compared to the 2020/21 season, and the average goals per game rose by over 0.4.
When compared to the 2022/23 season,
the average match duration per game increased by 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
However, based on a 38match season,
this means players effectively played about 142 additional minutes over the course of the season.
Considering that the average “in-play” time is 58 minutes and 37 seconds,
this is roughly equivalent to playing 2.4 extra matches.
In other words, with the increase in added time,
players are effectively playing more than two additional matches’ worth of football each season.
Now, let’s take a look at the case of Japan’s professional football league, the J1 League.
The J1 League also saw its average match duration increase by more than one minute starting from the 2023 season, and in 2024, the average match duration exceeded 100 minutes for the first time.
This trend and shift in football clearly show that such changes are not limited to Europe alone, but are becoming a global phenomenon across leagues.
๐ The Impact of Increased Added Time on Match Movement
In the 2023/24 Premier League season, the total distance covered per match increased compared to the previous three seasons.
As match time increases, the physical ability we need to keep moving naturally becomes even more essential.
However, what’s important here is that simply running more does not lead to victory.
The key lies in having the ability to perform more high-intensity movements such as HSR, sprints, and accelerations/decelerations than your opponent during the extended minutes.
That ability not only proves your individual competitiveness but also has a positive impact on your team’s overall performance.
๐ก Adapt to the Changing Game
We are no longer living in an era where preparing for just 90 minutes is enough.
This is an era that demands the stamina and strategy to handle 100 minutes or more,
including the extended added time that varies by situation.
To deliver more than 100% of your potential under any circumstance, both tactical awareness and sustainable physical performance must work hand in hand.
Even as match durations grow longer,
high-intensity running and superior physical fitness that can create decisive moments have undoubtedly become a form of individual tactics in modern football.
SOCCERBEE stands with your challenge.
Proving yourself begins with the habit of recording your performance.
Own your Game
Built for the ____ player
SOCCERBEE
โฑ๏ธ Why Should We Prepare for “100-Minute Matches”?
The Increase in Added Time and How to Adapt
Even for long-time football fans, it’s no longer unusual to see 5, 7, or even 10 minutes or more of added time.
This trend began around the 2022 Qatar World Cup,
when efforts were made to increase Actual Play Time by accurately compensating for interruptions during matches.
For example, in the group stage match between England and Iran at the Qatar World Cup, a total of 24 minutes of added time was given 14 minutes in the first half and 10 minutes in the second.
This was largely due to accumulated stoppages such as injuries, substitutions, and VAR checks. It also sent a clear message against so-called “time-wasting football,” aimed at preventing actions that lower the quality of the game.
In other words, it was a clear reflection of FIFA’s policy to ensure sufficient actual play time and promote higher-quality match management by discouraging intentional time-wasting.
Since the Qatar World Cup, this new perspective on added time and Actual Play Time has become a global trend across leagues in Europe and Asia.
As a result, the once “normal” 1–3 minutes of added time has now become 5 minutes or more as the new standard.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how these changes in added time have led to interesting shifts in match data and performance patterns.
๐ Changes in Numbers — Premier League & J.League
Premier League (2020/21 ~ 2023/24)
In the 2023/24 Premier League season,
the average match duration increased by more than 5 minutes compared to the 2020/21 season, and the average goals per game rose by over 0.4.
When compared to the 2022/23 season,
the average match duration per game increased by 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
However, based on a 38match season,
this means players effectively played about 142 additional minutes over the course of the season.
Considering that the average “in-play” time is 58 minutes and 37 seconds,
this is roughly equivalent to playing 2.4 extra matches.
In other words, with the increase in added time,
players are effectively playing more than two additional matches’ worth of football each season.
Now, let’s take a look at the case of Japan’s professional football league, the J1 League.
The J1 League also saw its average match duration increase by more than one minute starting from the 2023 season, and in 2024, the average match duration exceeded 100 minutes for the first time.
This trend and shift in football clearly show that such changes are not limited to Europe alone, but are becoming a global phenomenon across leagues.
๐ The Impact of Increased Added Time on Match Movement
In the 2023/24 Premier League season, the total distance covered per match increased compared to the previous three seasons.
As match time increases, the physical ability we need to keep moving naturally becomes even more essential.
However, what’s important here is that simply running more does not lead to victory.
The key lies in having the ability to perform more high-intensity movements such as HSR, sprints, and accelerations/decelerations than your opponent during the extended minutes.
That ability not only proves your individual competitiveness but also has a positive impact on your team’s overall performance.
๐ก Adapt to the Changing Game
We are no longer living in an era where preparing for just 90 minutes is enough.
This is an era that demands the stamina and strategy to handle 100 minutes or more,
including the extended added time that varies by situation.
To deliver more than 100% of your potential under any circumstance, both tactical awareness and sustainable physical performance must work hand in hand.
Even as match durations grow longer,
high-intensity running and superior physical fitness that can create decisive moments have undoubtedly become a form of individual tactics in modern football.
SOCCERBEE stands with your challenge.
Proving yourself begins with the habit of recording your performance.
Own your Game
Built for the ____ player
SOCCERBEE